{"id":1053,"date":"2026-07-14T10:31:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smileteam.com.au\/blog\/?p=1053"},"modified":"2026-07-14T10:31:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:31:56","slug":"dentist-vs-orthodontist-teeth-straightening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smileteam.com.au\/blog\/dentist-vs-orthodontist-teeth-straightening\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist vs Orthodontist: Who Should You See for Teeth Straightening"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve started looking into<\/span> straightening your teeth<\/span><\/a>, you’ve probably noticed that both dentists and orthodontists offer to help. That can be confusing \u2014 aren’t they the same thing? Not quite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both are dental professionals, but they’re trained differently and qualified to do different things. Knowing the distinction can save you time, and in some cases, help you avoid starting treatment with the wrong person for your situation. Here’s a straightforward look at what each one actually does.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Each Role Actually Does<\/b><\/h2>\n

What a general dentist covers<\/b><\/h3>\n

A general dentist looks after the broad, everyday side of oral health \u2014 check-ups, cleans, fillings, extractions, and general advice on keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Many general dentists also offer basic orthodontic services, including some clear aligner systems, particularly for straightforward cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dentists complete a dental degree and are registered to practise general dentistry across Australia. It’s a wide-ranging role, and most of us see a dentist far more often than any other health professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

What an orthodontist is trained to do<\/h3>\n

An orthodontist is a dentist who has gone on to complete additional, specialised postgraduate training\u2014typically a further two to three years\u2014focused entirely on the movement of teeth and the development of the jaw and bite. This extra training is what allows orthodontists to take on more complex cases involving misalignment, crowding, spacing, and bite correction.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Australia, orthodontists are registered as dental specialists with the Dental Board of Australia, a distinct category that sits separately from general dental registration. Only practitioners who have completed the additional specialist training can call themselves an orthodontist.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s worth noting that not every case needs a specialist. But for anything beyond mild, straightforward movement, the extra years of training behind an orthodontist’s assessment tends to matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who to See, and When<\/h2>\n

Here’s a simple way to think about it:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Situation<\/th>\nWho to see<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Routine check-ups, cleans, fillings<\/td>\nGeneral dentist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mild crowding or spacing, straightforward cases<\/td>\nEither, depending on the dentist’s training<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crooked teeth, bite issues, jaw alignment concerns<\/td>\nOrthodontist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Complex cases involving multiple teeth or significant bite correction<\/td>\nOrthodontist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children with developing bite or jaw concerns<\/td>\nOrthodontist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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If your situation falls anywhere in the “complex” end of that table, a specialist consultation is usually the more reliable starting point \u2014 even if you’ve already discussed it with your dentist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Path<\/h2>\n

If you’re not sure where to start, these steps will help you make a more confident decision:<\/span><\/p>\n